Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

How do I activate the windows 7 without having a previous windows version on my pc? I got an error saying not valid since there wasn't a previous version on the pc?
Will reinstalling windows 7 now that it is on the machine and checking upgrade work to allow the activation to work?
pat

Option 3 worked........I was getting a little nervous about the activation..... Thank you everyone for your help

Very Knowledgeable help on here too. Very good place to get help. Glad I found this site...

Sorry folks, I've read through the various Windows 7 install tutorials (which look excellent BTW) but I am a little confused as to what option I want to take in my circumstances.

I currently run Vista HP 32bit and to try and solve slow running issues I thought I would do a clean install but upgrade to 7 HP 32bit. I’ve already backed up all the files I want and would like to entirely format my HDD.

Do I do a normal upgrade and then do a clean (custom) install to make sure I am compliant with the End User Agreement or can I go straight to doing the custom install?

Hope this makes sense?!

Thanks

Chris

Brink said:

Hello Chris, and welcome to Seven Forums.

For what you want, I would recommend doing the steps in OPTION ONE to do a clean install with your upgrade copy of Windows 7 HP. Clicking on the links in the steps will give you full details on how to do that item. :)

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks Shawn, I presume I can just use the install process to format the HDD? I did this recently when I did a clean install for XP and it seemed to work fine.

Thanks again,
Chris

You are a lifesaver! I lost my hard drive this week (I had upgraded the pre-loaded Vista to Win 7) and re-installed using the Win7 disk, expecting to be asked to provide a CD for proof of upgrade. As you know, this doesn't happen with Win7, the software was just installed and I got most of my software re-installed, etc (a two-day effort) only to find that I was running an un-activated copy of Win7, and my key wouldn't work since it was considered a "new" installation.

I was getting ready to spend $129 for a new key until I realized that I'd need a new NON-UPGRADE key ($200!!!) and did a little more searching. Fortunately, I found your post, and it worked flawlessly! Thank you, thank you, thank you!